Locking means for automobiles



H. P. TAYLOR. LOCKING MEANS FOR AUTOMOBILES.

, APPLICATlON FILED MAY II, 1918. 1,377,291.

2 SHEETS-SHEET I.

Patented May 10, 1921.

(Zfiornegfi APPLIQATION FILED MAY II, 1918.

Patented May 10, 1921.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

HARRY P. TAYLOR, LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA, ASSIGNOR TO STROMBERG MOTOR To all whom it may concern:

irso STATES PATENT orslcs.

LOCKING MEANS FOR AUTOMOBILES.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented May 10, 1921.

Application filed May 11, 1918. Serial No. 234,034.

Be it known that I, HARRY P. TAYLOR, a citizen of the United States, residing at Los Angeles, in the county of Los Angeles and State of California, have invented a certain new. and useful Improvement in Looking Means for Automobiles and the like, ofwhich the following is .a full, clear, concise, and exact description, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, forming a part of this specification. v

My invention relates to -locking means for automobiles and the like.

The locking means of my invention is particularly adaptedfor use in connection with systems wherein the electric generator is built-in such a manner that itforms-an integral part of the power plant, although modifications are contemplated within the. scope of my mventlon for use 1n connection with systems other than this particular type.

As it is against the fire and trafiic ordinances of most cities to lock an automobile immovably, I have provided a locking means adapted to prevent unauthorized persons from running the car under its own power although the car may be moved,'as is often necessary, particularly in case of fire.

In order that the car will not be-subj'ect to theft by towing, I have provided a lock-,

ing means, the setting of which is adapted 4 to render operable an alarm which automatically operates to give a signal when the car is moved, indicating that the car is being moved in an unauthorized manner.

In accordance with the teachings of my invention I provide for looking a necessary rotating part of the driving mechanism of the car and simultaneously grounding or interrupting the ignition circuit of the engine, thereby preventing unauthorized persons from running the car under its own power, due to the inability to crank the engine and also to the inability to produce a spark in the cylinders of the engine.

My invention further provides for rendering removal of the cover of the transmission housing ineffective to prevent unauthorized access to the locking means contained therein when the lock is set.

In the accompanying drawings which form a part of this specification Figure 1 is a vertical sectional View through a transmission housing showing my improved locking means in place;

Fig. 2 is a plan view of the main cover of the transmission housing;

Fig. 3 is a fragmentary sectional view taken on line 3--3 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 4 is a detail sectional view of the plunger lock; and

Fig. 5 is a fragmentary sectional view taken on line 5-5 of Fig. 1.

Referring to the drawings, the flywheel 1 which is of typical Ford construction, is

rigidly secured to the engine shaft 13 and serves as a p1n1on carrler and drlving member having lateral studs 2 secured to it.

These lateral studs 2 carry triple planetary pinions'3, 4 and 5 asis typical of a 'Ford planetary transmission system.

As will be well understood by those skilled in the art, the brake bands 6, 7 and 8 encircling the brake drums 9, 10 and 11, respectively, have connection through suitable sleeves with three central gears that revolve about the extension 12 of the engine shaft 13 but are not secured to it.

The motion of the planet gears 3, 4 and 5 and indirectly the motion of the ear is controlled by contraction of either of the brake bands 6 or 7 upon its respective drum. Contraction of the band 6 drives the car backward contraction of the band 7 driving thecar slowly forward. The drum 11 is also secured to the propeller shaft of the car, the band 8 thereby serving as a propeller shaft brake. c

Pedal shafts 14:, 15 and 16 extend trans- .versely through one side of the housing 17, a

compressed by clutch fingers 2O pivoted upon the drum 11. These clutch fingers 20 bear against a collar formed integral with the spool 21, this spool being forced inwardly by a clutch spring 22 which normally holds the clutch in engagement. A- clutch control shaft 23 carrying a fork 2 1 engaging in the spool 21 extends transversely through if the housing 17 It will now be apparent that the spring pressure against the disk clutch 19 is controlled by rotating the shaft 23. Rotation of this shaft is controlled from both a hand lever and from the foot pedal that controls the low speed brake band 7 In the particular system that I have shown the magnetic field of the generator is produced by a series of revolving magnets 25 which are secured to and revolve with the fly wheel 1 of the engine. The outer ends of these magnets are clamped together with the usual magnet clamps 26. The armature coils 27 are carried by an annular field plate 28 the lower part of which is attached to the base of the engine, thereby constituting a magneto-having a revolving field and a fixed armature. The current which is taken from the coils 27 by direct connection passes through the vertically extending post 29. This post which extends up through the top of the transmission housing 17 is suitably insulated therefrom by a sleeve of insulation 30. The upper free end of the post 29 forms a suitable binding post from where the current is conducted through a timer driven by the engine to individual spark coils and finally to the spark plugs of the en ine.

Recess to the transmission mechanism is obtained through an opening provided in the sloping upper wall of the transmission housing 17. This openin is normally closed by the usual cover 31. i provide the cover 31 with a circular opening which is adapted to be covered by the disk cover 32. The disk or circular cover 32 is provided with an in- .tegral hollow boss 33 projecting therefrom thereby forming a suitable guiding sleeve for the upper enlarged portion of the plunger 34. A cap nut 35 is threaded into the lower end of the hollow boss 33, this cap nut being bored out to receive the lower end of the plunger 34. A coil spring 36 is confined between the upper enlarged portion of the plunger 34 and the cap nut 35. The plunger is suitably keyed against rotation in the boss 33 as shown at 37. The plunger is further keyed against rotation by means of a pair of inwardly projecting arms 51 shown in Figs. 1 and 5, depending from the under surface of the disk or circular cover 32, these arms engaging opposite sides of the locking bar 42 and thereby forming a suitable guiding member for the locking bar.

The upper endof the plunger 34 is provided with a barrel lock of any desired type which extends down, the inside of the barrel having a cam shaft 38 bearing cams at the lower end thereof as shown in Fig. 4 for engaging the locking pawls 39. The looking pawls 39 are formed in the shape of bell crank levers pivoted at 40 in the plunger 34, the inner ends of these levers ends being adapted to move laterally through the slots in which they are mounted when the plunger 34 is pushed downwardly and to engage the under side of the cap nut 35 as shown in dotted lines in Fig. 1, thereby to lock the plunger in the lower position. Springs 41, engage the inner arms of the locking pawls 39 tending to throw them out of the slots in which they are mounted.

The flywheel 1 is provided with a serrated face, this face being formed either by milling the serrations in the inner face of the flywheel or by bolting an annular serrated plate 44 thereto as shown. in Fig. 1. The lower end of the plunger 34 is provided with a locking bar 42 having an arm or locking prong 43 projecting inwardly therefrom. As shown in dotted lines in Fig. 1, the arm or looking prong 43 of the locking bar 42 is adapted to engage in the serrated face 44 I provided in the flywheel 1 when the plunger 34 is depressed.

It will now be apparent that the flywheel 1 will be securely locked against rotation when the lock is set by depressing the plunger 34.

I also provide for" interrupting the ignition circuit of the engine when the plunger 34 is depressed. To this end I provide the upper end of the locking bar 42 with a finger 45 projecting substantially horizontally therefrom. Upon depressing the plunger 34 the horizontally projecting finger 45 will be moved into the'position shown in dotted. lines in Fig. 1, thereby engaging the post 29 and grounding the ignition circuit as it is conducted from the armature coils 27. Although I h'ave shown the finger 45 as adapted for engaging the post 29 to control the ignition circuit, it is understood that it could cooperate with a suitable switch provided in the ignition circuit if so desired.

The opposite end of the locking'bar 42 has a tongue or reed 46 of a flexible nature secured thereto. The tongue or reed 46 is adapted to be projected into the path of rotation of the clutch finger 20 as shown in dotted lines in Fig. 1. If the automobile is moved in either direction with the lock set, the clutch fingers 20, pivoted upon the drum 11 which is secured to the propeller shaft of the car, will rotate in unison therewith 'and the successive engagement of these finsprings 41 and prevent retrograde movement of the plunger.

When the owner or authorized driver of 47 shown in dotted lines in Fig. 1 is in" the 7 barrel of the lock and the shaft 38 is turned until the cams on the lower end thereof bring the locking pawls39 within the slots in which they are mounted, thereby allowing the coil spring 36 to move the plunger 34 upwardly through the guide sleeve 33. When the plunger 34 is moved upwardly by the spring 36, the locking bar 42, which is secured to the plunger is likewise moved upwardly, thereby disengaging the arm 43 from the serrated face of the fly wheel 1, withdrawing the tongue or reed 46 from the pathof rotation of the clutch fingers 20 and moving the finger 45 out of engagement with the post 29.

The under surface of the disk or circular cover 32 is provided with a depending flange which is adapted to engage in the opening provided inthe main cover 31. As shown in Figs. 1 and 2 this flange is provided with a plurality of lugs 48 projecting therefrom, these lugs being adapted to be inserted through-slots 49 cut in the periphery of the circular opening provided in the main cover 31. Upon inserting the lugs 48 through the slots 49, the disk cover 32 is revolved slightly, thereby moving the lugs 48 out of registration with the slots 49 and locking the disk cover securely upon the main cover, due to the engagement of the lugs 48-w1th the under surface of the main cover 31, as shown in Fig. 1.- Machine screws 50 are adapted to thread through the disk cover 32 and into the main cover 31 when the lugs 48 and slots 49 are out of registration and when the boss 33' and locking bar 42 are in the positions illustrated in Figs. 1 and 2. The boss 33 is formed eccentrically upon the cover32 so that it will be impossible to re-- volve the disk cover to remove the same when the arm or looking prong 43, which is relatively broad, is projected 'down into engagement with the serrated face 44, thereby rendering removal of the disk cover 32 ineffective when the plunger lock is set. It

will be understood that by providing the depending flange upon the under-surface of the disk cover 32 a single lug 48 would suffice to lock this cover against removal if r so desired. 1

Although I have illustrated and described my invention in connection with a particumechanism therein, a cover for said housing,

lardriving mechanism, modifications are contemplated within the scope of my invention for use with other systems than this particular type.

I claim: 1. In combination, a housing, a driving member a plunger mounted in saidcover, locking means carried by said plunger, said locking means being adapted to be projected to lock a rotating part of said driving mechanism against rotation, an alarm mechanism adapted to be set by the projection of said looking means, means for automatically locking said locking means in the projected position and key operated means for rendering said locking means inoperative.

2. In, combination, an automobile engine shaft, a fly wheel having a serrated face secured to said engine shaft, a casing surrounding said fly wheel, a cover for said casing, a plunger mounted in said cover, a locking member carried by said plunger, said locking member being adapted to be projected into engagement with the serrated face of said fly wheel to prevent rotation thereof; means for locking said cover against removal from said-casing when said locking member is in the projected position and means'adapted to render the ignition circuit of the engine inoperative upon projection of said locking member.

mechanism therein, a cover-for said housing,

3. In combination, a motor vehicle havand means wit in said casing for locking said engine shaft against rotation, and simultaneously setting said alarm mechanism.

5. The combination with an automobile gear casing having a driving shaft therein and a rotatable part on the shaft, of a looking member movable within the easing into and out of engagement with the rotating part and having an extension beyond the casing, and to render inoperative the ignition system.

6. The combination with an automobile gear casing having a driving element and a driven element therein, of means engaging,

said drivin and driven elements to lock the former an to produce an alarm when the latter is moved.

means carried by the locking' 7. In combination, a housing, a driving arotating part of said driving mechanism against rotation, means for automatically locking said locking means in the projected position and means adapted to lock said cover against removal from said housing when said locking means isin the projected to sound upon rotation of said clutch memher.

9. In combination, ahousing having a driving mechanism therein, a cover for said housing, means adapted for rendering the ignition circuit of a motor vehicle inoperative and means for locking said cover against removal from said housing when said ignition circuit is inoperative. p

10. In combination, an automobile propeller shaft, an alarm mechanism adapted to be projected to cooperate with said propeller shaft to sound upon rotation thereof and means for rendering the ignition circuit of the engine inoperative when said alarm mechanism is projected.

11. In combination, a housing havinga driving mechanism therein, a cover forsaid housing, a plunger mounted in said cover, locking means carried by said plunger, said locking means being adapted to be projected to lock a rotating part of said driving mechanism against rotation, means adapted to render the ignition circuit of the engine inoperative when said plunger is projected,

an alarm mechanism adapted to be set upon the projection of said locking means, and

means adapted to lock said cover against removal from said housing.

12. In combination, an englne having ,an

'. ignition system, a closed-transmission housing, a movable transmission member within the housing, a locking member within the housing movable into engagement with said transmission mechanism to lock it against movement, and means operablewithin the housing by the movement of the locking ,member to render .the ignition system inoperative when said member is in looking position.

13. In combination, an engine having an ignition system, a closed transmission houslng, a movable transmission member within the housing, a locking member within the housing having a part projecting through a wall of the housing by which it can be moved into engagement with said transmission member to lock it against movement,

and means within the housing operable by the movement of the locking member for rendering the ignition system lnoperative 'when said transmission member is locked against movement.

14. The combination with an internal combustion engine having a gear case, a dr1v1ng element therein, a driven element therein, and an ignition system, of means within the casing for locking the driving element and for rendering inoperative the lgnition system, and means operablesimultaneously with first said means to engage the driven element and produce an alarm when the same is moved.

15. In combination, a motor vehicle gear casing having a driving and driven element thereln, one terminal of an electric circuit 1n said casing, means for engaging said elements simultaneously to lock the former and produce an alarm when the latter is moved, and means simultaneously operable with first said meansfor rendering inoperative said circuit. 16. In combination, a closed housing hav ng a driving mechanism therein, said drivlng mechanism having a part rotatable within said housing, a locking member within said housing movable into and out of locking engagement with said rotatable part, said locking member having a readilv accessible unobstructed part projecting through a wall of the housing by which it can be set into locking position.

17. In combination, a housing having a driving mechanism therein, locking means adapted to be projected to look a rotatable part of said driving mechanism against rotation, said locking means having an operating plunger projecting from said housing, the pro ecting portion of said operating plunger being unobstructed and readily accessible to the drivers foot, whereby the locking means is set into locking position.

18. In combination, a closed housing havlng a driving mechanism therein, a locking member movable into and out of locking engagement with a rotatable part of said driving mechanism, said locking member being arranged Within said housing when in nonlocking, as well as when in locking position and having a part projecting from the housing by which 1t can be set into locking 20. The combination with a closed housing having a fly wheel therein, a planetary gear system associated with said fly wheel ing from said housing by which it can be set into locking position.

21. In combination, a closed housing, an engine, a member permanently connected to the engine shaft and lying within the housing, a locking member within said housing movable into and out of locking engagement with said member and having a read-' ily accessible unobstructed part projecting through a wall of the housing by which it can be set into locking position.

22. In combination, a closed housing, an engine, a member permanently connected to the engine shaft and lying within the housing, a locking member within said housing movable into and out of locking engagement with said member, said locking memher having a readily accessible unobstructed part projecting through a wall of the housing by which it can be set into locking position, and a key releasable locking bolt for blocking the locking member.

23. In combination, a closed housing, an engine, a member permanently connected to the engine shaft and lying within the housing, locking means for engaging said member, spring means tending to throw said locking means out of active position and a key releasable locking bolt for blocking the throw of said locking means by said spring means.

In witness whereof, I hereunto subscribe my name this 8th day of Jul A. D. 1918.

HARRY TAYLOR. 

